Indonesia: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake strikes in the Molucca Sea Dec. 17

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in the Molucca Sea, off Manado, North Sulawesi province, Indonesia, at around 1630 Dec. 17. The epicenter was 133 km (82 miles) south-southeast of Manado. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 35 km (22 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout North Sulawesi Province and eastern parts of Gorontalo Province. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The incident has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions.